Reports and observations about life as an ex-pat family in Playa del Carmen Mexico from Michele and Rob Kinnon. Real Estate Playa del Carmen market updates and new listings of interest. Advise for other like minded adventurers planning to relocate to Playa del Carmen. Will include commentary and information on local schools, markets, recycling, environmental issues, volunteer opportunities, restaurant reviews and special events.

As you all know by now, every year, the kids and I go to the amazing Festival de Vida y Muerte at Xcaret and every year we love it. Honestly, this is one of the most well-organized events that I have ever attended and I can and do recommend it to everyone who happens to find themselves on the Riviera Maya during the time of Dia de los Muertos. A few years ago, I saw some adverts for a Hanal Pixan excursion offered by Alltournative which piqued my interest but, as the week of Halloween and Dia de los Muertos is always a logistical nightmare, adding yet another activity into the family schedule was impossible. Read More...

The Winter Solstice, also known by some as Yule or Saturnalia, generally falls on December 21 or 22. It celebrates the birth of the new solar year and marks the beginning of winter. Taking place on the longest, darkest night of the year, this is a time when we must reflect inward to find our own inner light. This is also a festival of inner renewal and spiritual rebirth. Many of the customs, lore, symbols, and rituals now associated with the modern "Christmas" actually are linked to Winter Solstice celebrations of ancient Pagan cultures. Both Christian mythology and older Pagan customs are evident in modern day holiday observances. Read More...

There are only a few days left before the 2nd annual Eco Reto 2011, a unique eco challenge where families are invited to build the greenest and most original toy or game. Ak Lu'um International School is preparing its jungle campus to receive environmentalists, government representatives and families from the Riviera Maya who will present their original creations to a select panel of judges. The contest and Eco-Fair will be held on December 11 from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm at the Ak Lu'um International School in Playa del Carmen. Read More...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States and if you are an American expat living on the Riviera Maya or perhaps just here for a visit, you will be looking for a place to strap on the feedbag and enjoy some good traditional Thanksgiving fare! Here are a few options you may enjoy! Read More...

It's no secret that Playa del Carmen's beloved Angel Notion and its founder Lavonna Redman have had a stressful and tumultuous year. Many challenges and obstacles have threatened the very existence of the organization and negatively impacted the many local residents that depend on Angel Notion's programs and services.
While Angel Notion has faced resistance locally, it continues to draw support worldwide from a wide network of passionate individuals and corporations determined to bolster the efforts of the organization so that we may continue to help those that cannot help themselves. Cruise Planners is the latest US based operation to step up to the plate and pledge their support for Angel Notion.
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One of the great things about living in Playa del Carmen is that we have access to great fresh fruits and veggies year round. Some, the staples like onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and limes, to name just a few, are remarkably inexpensive. Others, the more exotic treats that are shipped in from the US and Canada, can get pretty pricey and may only appear for a few days at a time in DAC, Chedraui or Soriana. If you are going to spend good money on fresh produce you want to eliminate as much waste as possible, right? What is the best way to keep our fruits and veggies crisp and delicious in a climate that turns bananas brown before I can get them home from the store? Read More...

The 9th annual Sea Turtle Festival is scheduled for October 13 - 16 2011 in Tulum. The Festival de la Tortuga Marina is a free event whose mission is to raise awareness in residents and tourists alike about sea turtle protection. Read More...

Surprise, surprise. It is summer in Playa del Carmen and it's hot. According to the status updates in my Facebook news feed, it is not as hot as this summer in the northeastern United States, so I will try not to minge and complain too much. After 7 years, we have actually become quite acclimated to hot and sticky weather and have a wide variety of coping techniques to get through the occasional scorcher. Because we are all out working, playing and exercising in the heat, staying hydrated is always a top priority. Read More...

Monday morning, my kids jumped feet first into their summer vacation, arriving bright and early at the barn for the first day of Pony Camp. Trainer and club owner Paco Magellon has been running this camp during the school vacations and it is something all the young riders in Playa del Carmen look forward to. Paco is so terrific with the kids and he has passed this special gift along to his son Diego who will be assisting him during this summer session. Monday is a day off for the horses so this morning the group learned how to groom a horse from nose to tail. "Brisa" was a patient subject, standing quietly while each of the children took a turn currying, brushing and picking hooves. The kids started to learn a bit about the anatomy of the horse and how to care for these majestic beasts. Later on in the day, as the temperature soared, they all cooled off in the cenote! Read More...

Looking for a place to celebrate the 4th of July with your family and friends in Playa del Carmen? Don't miss the annual 4th of July Celebration and BBQ at Wicky's Restaurant and Beach Club! The festivities begin at noon with live music starting at 1:30pm and FIREWORKS at dusk! Wicky's famous Beach BBQ Buffet will be open from 2pm - 7pm. This is an event that is not to be missed if you are visitor or an expat from the US you will be sure to have a great time! Read More...

On the Riviera Maya, summer is now upon us and summer vacation is just around the corner. For many families, the school break means travel! Many will take this time to travel to see their families scattered across Mexico. Others will depart for cooler climates in the US, Europe and Canada. For those staying put, the challenge is always "What to do with the children?". When school is out and most of the extracurricular activities have been suspended for the summer months there is a huge gap to be filled in the daily lives of our young ones. Many families, especially those with two working parents, will be looking for fun summer programs to fill the time for their restless nin@s. Read More...

Special thanks to Tacogirl.com and the SAGA Humane Society of San Pedro Belize for allowing me to reprint this article which addresses an important seasonal issue for pet owners both in San Pedro and Playa del Carmen alike.
There aren’t many things that everyone in San Pedro agrees about, but no one would argue with you when you say ‘It’s hot!’. It has been very warm the past couple of months and it looks like we may be in for a long and very hot summer. While we seek out the shade and drink ice cold drinks to cool us down, we need to remember that our furry friends feel the heat just like we do. The only difference is that they depend on us to provide them with shade and fresh, cool water. Read More...

Sometime in the Fall, Papalote parents were asked if their children would like to participate in a performance that was to take place sometime near the end of the 2010-2011 school year. There were to be required in-school rehearsals and books to buy and Read More...

The teachers and students at Ak Lu'um Waldorf School in Playa del Carmen have been working hard on their bio-dynamic garden beds and are starting to see the fruits of their labors. The heirloom tomatoes are ripening on the vines and the peppers and squash plants are covered with blossoms that will soon transform into bright colorful vegetables. Read More...

May Day is celebrated in countries all over the world in festivals that draw their origins in the ancient pre-Christian fertility rites practiced by the Romans honoring the Spring Goddess, Flora. The elements of the modern May Day festival take their root in Medieval times and include music, games, parades, dancing and of course, the ubiquitous maypole. Traditionally festooned with bright Spring flowers and strung with colorful ribbons, participants each take a ribbon and in a choreographed pattern weave them around and down as they dance or skip around the pole. Read More...